There is nothing so close to my heart than an outrageously jewelled knockout gown to light up the night.
And in that statement lays the key to bedazzlement… light up the night… never the day!!!
For an evening event, the luxury and allure of an incredible gown that has been jewelled, embellished or sequined, unashamedly, is in my opinion hard to beat. It delivers a powerful punch of glamour that leaves fashionistas of the minimalist school eating crystal dust!!!
Gowns that shimmer and illuminate cast a flattering, glittering light that make a woman look and feel sensational. A true red carpet moment is yours when you wear the correct evening gown that is light refractive.
Alex Perry’s Formal Fashion Tips:
Never wear jewelled dresses during the day… and I mean NEVER!!!
That thing that is so beautiful during the day somehow vanishes when sunlight hits a sequin, crystal or bead. Evening light is manufactured, therefore making crystals and diamante sparkle to life like diamonds. Daylight is far too clean and unforgiving and doesn’t make them come to life the way artificial light does.
Let’s discuss the beaded cardigan. If you, for some reason, feel you must have one (I’m grasping with this one)… NEVER… let it see the light of day. I can’t think of anything that evokes the thought of poker machines at an RSL club more than a beaded cardie!!!
Back off on the accessories
The trick with a beaded evening gown is that it does all the work for you – a gorgeous cocktail ring, or some sensational earrings is about as much as you need, depending on the voltage of the dress. It’s more about gorgeously blow-dried hair… rather than a hairdo and more about nude nails as opposed to the red talons. I know I don’t say this very often, but keep it simple!!!
Avoid ‘Dynasty-style’ colours
Just about every time I suggest a sequined evening gown to a client, they recoil in horror. I think that happens because their brain instantly takes them to that ‘Dynasty’ or ‘Falcon Crest’ place in their head, and they see Alexis Carrington [played by Joan Collins] in electric blue, or Heather Locklear in a red sequined Bob Mackie evening gown. These USA colours are to be avoided, however sequined gowns can be divine in chic neutral colours. Think Armani shades… black, nude, matt silver or glimmering bitter chocolate.
Alex’s top tips for bedazzlement
Beading is like anything else. It comes in different qualities, the better it is, the more you can expect to pay for it. Stand a dress beaded with Swarovski crystals next to one that’s beaded with glass or plastic stones, and there is no competition. If you can’t afford a fully beaded gown, opt for a gorgeous shape with minimal detail…say around the neck or a jewelled clasp, and you’ll capture the luxe feel of the jewelled look in a completely chic way.
To wear jewelled clothing successfully, you have to understand that it needs a modern edge, and nothing can help you translate that more than colour.
The upshot is that an amazing jewelled gown is an investment piece, buy quality, look after it, and you will always be dazzling and red carpet ready.
